On February 5, during the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026 held in Qingdao, China, India's men's and women's badminton teams both advanced to the quarterfinals, despite facing narrow defeats in their final group ties. The women's team, who are the defending champions, lost to Thailand with a score of 2-3, while the men's team fell to Japan, also finishing at 2-3.
The Indian women's team began the competition strongly, sweeping Myanmar 5-0 in their opening match. However, after taking an early lead against Thailand, they lost momentum as the tie progressed. Notably, Tanvi, ranked World No. 42, pulled off a stunning upset by defeating world No. 16 Busanan Ongbamrungphan in a gripping match that lasted over an hour, showcasing her resilience and skill on the court.
- Strong start for women's team — They opened with a 5-0 win over Myanmar.
- Crucial victories — Tanvi and the women's doubles pair secured early wins.
- Narrow defeats — Both teams lost their final matches 2-3.
Despite the setbacks, the women's doubles pair of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly also contributed, winning their match against Thailand to put India ahead 2-0. However, as the competition intensified, Rakshitha Ramraj and the second doubles pair were unable to secure wins, allowing Thailand to level the tie and force a deciding match.
On the men's side, India had already secured qualification prior to their final match against Japan, resting key players like Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth. Despite a strong start with a 2-0 lead, the team lost the next three matches, resulting in a 2-3 defeat. Former coach Vimal Kumar expressed disappointment over the team's decision to rest top players, suggesting their presence could have changed the outcome of the match.
As both teams gear up for the quarterfinals, the women's team will face hosts China, while the men's team will take on South Korea. The competition remains fierce, with China fielding a strong lineup, including world No. 10 Gao Fang Jie. Meanwhile, Korea boasts formidable doubles pairs, promising intense matches ahead as India looks to reclaim its standing in badminton.
